53° and Mist
Image
New England Conservatory (NEC), one of the oldest and most prominent musical higher learning institutaions in the country, has announced the appointment of several key individuals, including Franklin's Dr. Anthony Trecek-King, an internationally recognized choral conductor, scholar, and teacher.
Trecek-King is joining NEC’s President’s Council along with former Cabot Corporation CEO and NEC Board Chair Kennett F. Burnes, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Senior Financial Advisor Renée Burns, world renowned soprano Yelena Dudochkin,and Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Senior Principal Pedro Sifre.
“On behalf of the entire NEC community, I’m proud to welcome this year’s new Board and President’s Council members, who represent a talented cross-section of experienced leaders across many industries,” said NEC President Andrea Kalyn. “As the boundaries of music and the landscape of the music industry continue to change, these leaders will help us further our integrative approach to a conservatory education and support our students as they work to become the next generation of performers, artists and educators.”
NEC also announced Thomas W. Blumenthal as the new Chair of the Board of Trustees. Having served on NEC’s Board since 2005, The Baupost Group Partner and former Board Vice Chair and Treasurer takes over as Chair for the 2022-23 academic year as NEC charts a new strategic course for student engagement and success. The school also welcomes three new Board members and five new members of its President’s Council.
“I am delighted to assume the role of Chair of the Board of Trustees as we usher in a new era of inclusion, civic engagement and musical excellence at NEC,” said Blumenthal. “Each year, students come here from around the world to study with some of the most respected and renowned musicians and educators in music and I look forward to working with my fellow Board members to support and elevate the visibility of the incredible work of students and faculty in the classroom, concert hall and broader community.”
Blumenthal succeeds Kennett F. Burnes ’22 hon. DM who served for eight years as Board Chair and made an immeasurable impact on NEC, overseeing the construction of the Student Life and Performance Center, among other notable achievements.
The new Board and President’s Council announcements come as NEC prepares to kick off its 2022-23 academic year, one that will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its Contemporary Musical Arts program, which brings together a diverse group of the world’s finest young artists with an emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration and a wide range of improvisational traditions, as well as the 75th anniversary of the NEC Choral Department, founded by pioneering choral conductor and department chair Lorna Cooke deVaron.
In addition to the appointment of Blumenthal, the Board welcomes former LMCG Investments Managing Director Dr. Murray Metcalfe, and Senior Helpers CEO and Co-Founder Peter Ross. Internationally acclaimed business strategist Dr. Saj-nicole Joni rejoins the Board of Trustees after serving for the last year on the President's Council.
About New England Conservatory
Founded by Eben Tourjée in Boston, Massachusetts in 1867, the New England Conservatory (NEC) represents a model of music school that combines the best of European tradition with American innovation. This independent conservatory stands at the center of Boston’s rich cultural history and musical life, presenting concerts at the renowned Jordan Hall on Huntington Avenue, recognized as Boston’s Avenue of the Arts. As a not-for-profit institution that educates and trains musicians of all ages, NEC cultivates a diverse, dynamic community, providing music students of more than 40 countries with performance opportunities and high-caliber training from 225 internationally esteemed artist-teachers and scholars.
